Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. ~ Degas
June 16, 2009
It is my goal as an artist of the 21st century to finally bring a change to the supposed “New Art” that has dominated the art world for almost four decades. This is the Conceptual Movement that insists on beating people to death with obvious examples of artists’ opinions, and artists have quickly taken to it. The main reason for this is a combination of personal arrogance and lack of technical skills. It is far too easy to proclaim to have a brilliant idea and prepare a “Never-Before Seen” installation that brings this idea to the masses. Sadly, these “masses” are made solely of art critics who are too scared to admit the king is only wearing his underwear.
Over time, art has been lessened to nothing more than creating a second of shock from the viewer in order to get noticed. And, while the shock grabs the attention of the public for a second, the sustainability and importance of the art is quickly trampled by the Next Big Thing/debacle. It is true that the message found in an artwork is its most important aspect. However, it is time for the artist to challenge the viewer to think. Formulation of independent thought has been lost; people have become accustomed to being told what to think. They have been robbed of the joy of analyzing a work, celebrating its multiple nuances and forming a personal relationship with it. These qualities are what combine to make a work of art immortal. These are the works that are still looked upon today as essential to human existence. This is the intent of my art.
My art reflects the opinions and styles of the socialist post-impressionist artists who used their art to reach out to the masses. The goal was not to shock, but to educate. Art was a device meant to reflect the underlying truths of the everyday. These artists did this in such a skillful manner that the work has maintained an awe-inspiring presence to this day. It is my intent to continue this style while addressing the issues of the American Society today. American culture idolizes and reveres celebrity and wealth. Money has long been a status symbol; the desire to advertise wealth has become a necessity. The bombardment of society with images of wealth has created an unattainable standard of living, without regard to the price paid to afford it – the selling of souls of those who have, and the prostitution of those who have not. It is my desire to display this lifestyle in a new manner, and one that is in stark contrast to the high-gloss photos which we are accustomed to seeing. I aim to revisit a period when art was truly revolutionary.
